Trisha Frankland offers a myriad of programs and activities to bring teens together and celebrate inclusiveness this October: not only is it National Bullying Prevention Month, it’s also Unity Day and Stop Bullying Day.

Administrators play a key role in leading the charge for creativity and innovation in their schools. Find out how you can best support a makerspace initiative in your school or library from an administrator who has spearheaded new makerspaces in two different districts.

The real-world design challenge Diana Rendina gave her students resulted in a maker cart that is now manufactured by Custom Educational Furnishings (CEF). Read on to learn how you can offer your students authentic design challenges in your makerspace.

If you’re looking for validation that makerspaces belong in libraries, seasoned maker and librarian Diana Rendina has got you covered. Explore these 5 important reasons and share them with stakeholders to help them understand how a makerspace can benefit your school community.

If you’re familiar with Sphero®, you know that this tiny, highly engaging robot will have kids coding and creating in no time. Get students started with four popular design challenges from Diana Rendina.

It’s time to unveil autumn programming at your library. Laura Damon-Moore offers ideas and activities for celebrating fun festivities such as Good Neighbor Day, National Grandparents Day, and, of course, National Read a Book Day.

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month — what better time to draw teens into your library? Laura Damon-Moore shares craft projects, game ideas, book suggestions and more to entice teens to visit the library again and again!

Not only is August Back to School Month, it’s also Family Fun Month and National Sandwich Month. And days like Friendship Day and National Book Lovers Day offer even more opportunities for fun library activities for kids!

Summer may be winding down, but you can still help parents and caregivers keep kids entertained this August with simple and fun early literacy activities that celebrate Friendship Day, National S’mores Day, National Dog Day and more!

Cardboard is the perfect medium to get your kids started with making – it’s free, it’s abundant, and what kid doesn’t see potential in a cardboard box? Learn how makerspace veteran Angela Rosheim helps her students take their cardboard creations to the next level with Makedo™ tools and connectors.

Learn how you can promote creativity, teamwork and experimentation by creating a STEM club for middle-schoolers. Amanda Bressler helps you face down your fear of not being the expert, walks you through program setup and gives you a simple challenge to get kids started.

Holding a Maker Fest in your school or library is a great way to showcase all the wonderful learning taking place in your makerspace. Diana Rendina walks you through the details, gives you ideas for stations, and helps you make sure your own Maker Fest will be successful.

Ready to take on the challenge of choosing new furniture for your library? The right furniture choices can help you make small spaces seem a lot larger or make your casual spaces great for work as well. Use these tips to create multifunctional library spaces that meet your users’ many needs.

Summer will be winding down in August, and it’s the perfect time to plan library programs for adults that celebrate National Simplify Your Life Week, National Book Lovers Day and National Relaxation Day. So grab a good book, put your feet up and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Ready to get kids excited about coding? Library Journal Maker Hero Alisha Wilson shares how she draws a crowd with her Coding for a Cookie event with three key steps. You’ll gain a host of coding resources, learn about setting up stations and get tips on advertising your event.

Matthew Winner shares book suggestions and children’s activity ideas for a deliciously fun July at your library! Not only is it National Ice Cream Month, but it’s also National Hot Dog Month, National Blueberry Month, and National Picnic Month. Is your stomach growling yet?

Give parents simple early literacy activities they can use to keep their kids learning this summer. The July calendar offers craft ideas, math and science activities, book suggestions, songs and fun celebration ideas for National Ice Cream Day, National Dance Day and more!

You’ve prepped, planned and set up your makerspace, now how do you make sure that students and staff use it? Nick Provenzano brings you ideas on how you can engage students and get staff excited about the learning opportunities offered by your makerspace.

Makerspaces can get messy! Do you have a strategy to stay organized? Angela Rosheim offers ideas to keep your school or library makerspace materials in order and easy to find. You’ll also get storage tips, ideas for handling works in progress and advice on how to get students to help keep your makerspace in order.

After using their geometry skills to create string art, Winnetka fourth-graders supersized their projects using the hands-on makerspace tool Rigamajig. Learn how they created a giant-sized protractor and took their string art experience outdoors to apply engineering, math and art concepts.

Oh, the places kids can go in the library! Bring the simple joy of whimsical rhyming adventures to your library this summer with these Dr. Seuss activities, passive programs, decorations and much more.

Get ready for some tasty treats — National Ice Cream Month, National Picnic Month and National Sugar Cookie Day all take place in the month of July! Check out this library activities calendar from Laura Damon-Moore for more sweet adult programming ideas.

There are so many great makerspace tools and supplies you could use in your unique space. But how do you choose which ones to buy on a limited budget? Expert Nick Provenzano gives you tips on what to keep in mind when figuring out the right tools for your space and shares some of his favorites.

Ready to have a great summer at your library? The June calendar is full of fun activities for kids and book ideas for summery celebrations like Great Outdoors Month, Great American Picnic Day and more!

It’s May – time to celebrate Get Caught Reading Month! Kids and teachers are dreaming of summer, and it’s the perfect time to boost recreational reading habits. In this month’s post, Matthew Winner offers fun ways to promote good reading habits in your school and community.

Kick off summer with library programs for adults that celebrate all things nature! Not only is June Great Outdoors Month, it’s also time to celebrate National Garden Week, Nature Photography Day and more.

Deciding you want to create a makerspace is easy. Figuring out what it’s going to look like can be the tricky part. Read on for tips from Nicholas Provenzano, aka The Nerdy Teacher, about how to develop your creation space. Get advice on gaining more space in your library, considering instructional needs and choosing furniture for your space.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects one in 68 children. You can use your makerspace not only to bring awareness to ASD, but also to engage children of all abilities. To celebrate Autism Awareness Month in April, Gina Seymour provides you with five maker activities and tips on how to offer programming that’s both inclusive and fun year-round.

Did you miss the Feb. 22 #DemcoMakerChat about meaningful making? No worries! You can still learn from your peers about how to promote meaningful making in your makerspace. Here are some of the great responses shared during the chat. For the full archive, search #DemcoMakerChat on Twitter.

Gathering ideas for your summer reading program? Look no further! We polled librarians and asked what their favorite and most effective programs were and they delivered. From teaming up with hometown heroes to STEM programming to taking your show on the road, there are so many exciting ways you can engage your community through summer reading.

Library Journal Mover and Shaker Emily Ellis shares library programs for adults that will promote health and happiness in your library and celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, National Salad Month and more!

Library summer reading programs are key to keeping kids engaged and learning over the summer, a time when many kids experience learning loss. Libraries are starting to take a closer look at their traditional programs and asking, “How can we have an ever bigger impact?” And some have already enhanced their programs by transforming them into a summer learning model. Learn the reasoning behind this change from Youth Services Supervisor Amanda Bressler, and gain 5 steps to get you started in your own transformation.

What happens when you create an Innovation Lab at your library where people can explore, learn new technology and share their knowledge? Everybody wants in! Learn how Chad Mairn from the Seminole Community Library designed a Maker Boot Camp just for kids to connect them to coding, robotics, circuitry and more.

Encourage your patrons to forget their troubles and grab a good book — Library Journal Mover and Shaker Emily Ellis shares engaging programming ideas for Drop Everything and Read Month, National Stress Awareness Day and more.

In this first installment of the Demco Master Maker blog series, expert Nicholas Provenzano, aka The Nerdy Teacher, shares his background, talks about the importance of makerspaces in schools, gives a preview of the topics he’ll be addressing in future posts, and invites you to join the conversation during the monthly #DemcoMakerChat on Thursday nights.

Makerspace skills aren’t often recognized on report cards, so how can you celebrate student achievement in those areas? Nicholas Provenzano, aka The Nerdy Teacher, is using badges to acknowledge the hard work, ingenuity, critical thinking and computer skills students develop through working in their makerspace. Learn how you can develop your own badging system for your space.

Libraries are safe spaces, known for finding ways to welcome everyone, and makerspaces within libraries should be no different. Award-winning library media specialist Gina Seymour provides tips and resources for how to welcome and accommodate all users in your makerspace.

Need to add a little art to your STEAM makerspace? Looking for a way to motivate summer reading program participants? Love collaborative art pieces? Read what librarians shared about how they are using StickTogether mosaic posters for all this and more and steal some ideas for your own library!

According to teacher-librarian Angela Rosheim, “Just having students make will not automatically create deep learning — you need to have sound pedagogy to go along with it.” In this blog Angela shares how she integrates making into her curriculum, along with a fun lesson plan that combines research with design thinking.

You’re never at a loss for ways you could increase your library services to better serve your students and your community. Unfortunately, you don’t always have the funds to pursue your vision, but knowing how to write a winning grant application can help. Successful grant writer and educator Mary Bangert provides six tips for writing effective grants and getting the funds you need to support your mission.

Adding a STEAM component to a literacy assignment can encourage students to think more deeply about what they are reading and writing. Library Journal’s Maker Hero School Librarian of the Year Alisha Wilson shares three ways you can collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate robotics, circuitry and coding into English class.

In the wake of this year’s devastating hurricane season, books about Hurricane Katrina carry timely messages. These lesson plans will help children understand the impacts of such disasters while also teaching skills such as problem solving and researching.

You have so many ideas about new ways to serve your community, but how will you fund them? Library expert Cathy Hakala-Ausperk answers your questions about grants and gets you started on the road to funding success!

In the same way that companies use data to target specific customers, libraries can use data to identify supporters and plan a targeted library campaign. Learn how EveryLibrary uses data to inform their messaging and rally support for libraries — and how you can do the same.

Offering outreach services like bedside storytimes and volunteer training is an extremely rewarding way to support hospitalized children and their families. Gather tips and advice for reaching out to hospital staff, launching a partnership and designing your programs.

Diana Rendina details 3 engaging makerspace projects that fit right in with the 2017 Teen Read Week (Oct. 8–14) theme: “Unleash Your Story.” Students will be eager to tell their stories with these creative activities that combine literacy and making.

Global literacy heroes are working tirelessly to ensure books reach impoverished and remote areas around the globe. Award-winning librarian and SLJ Mover and Shaker Krista Welz shares ideas for introducing kids to these literacy heroes and inspiring learning opportunities through their stories.

Flexible seating is becoming more and more popular in today’s schools. Maybe you’re thinking about trying it, but you still have more questions. See what questions our readers had and how our experts answered them.

Are you on the hunt for new ways to serve your community’s diverse population? Learn how Adult Services Manager Trinity Lescallett finds books and activities to engage adults with disabilities in her library, and gain resources for your own programs.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and there’s no better time to teach anti-bullying lessons through children’s literature. Promote discussion, spark writing activities, and teach kids how to be buddies not bullies with these three library activities.

The Newbery award-winning book “The One and Only Ivan” tells the inspiring story of a captive gorilla from his point of view. Use this book to capture students’ interest with 3 library lessons centered around Ivan’s story.

You’re ready to start creating your makerspace, but what kind of furniture and seating will you need? Use this handy checklist to help you decide how you will you use your space and what you need to think about when choosing furnishings.

Book repair got you down? You’ll be on your way to becoming a licensed book doctor with these tried-and-true tips from your peers. From prevention to cleaning to repair, these librarians have got you covered.

With more and more libraries curating Libraries of Things, library cards just got a little more powerful. Read how two libraries have jumped right in to offer unique collections to their patrons. You’ll learn about their new offerings, from wireless hotspots to yard games, and how they’re getting the word out to their communities.

You and your staff are passionate advocates for your library. But what really matters when it comes down to gaining funding for your library? Patrick Sweeney from EveryLibrary shares with you why it’s important to build a network of activists who will take meaningful action for your library and its initiatives.

The role of the school library is expanding and it’s transforming the way students use your space and the services you provide. Learn from an award-winning library media specialist about what you need to think about when transforming your library to a learning commons model. From the services you provide to the instructional and study spaces you design, a little planning can go a long way.

The start of the school year brings new energy and fresh ideas! Get your teens excited to help you promote Library Card Sign-up Month with #selfies, celebrate being weird on Wonderful Weirdos Day, and spread some sunshine on Positive Thinking Day. New book releases and STEM fun will help start the year off right!

Marketing your library can be a struggle — you have so many great resources, but how can you promote all of them? And what’s the best way to get the word out? Library veteran Cathy Hakala-Ausperk offers advice for your marketing questions.

Professional conferences can leave you feeling ready to take on the world with all the new ideas you’ve gathered. But attending conferences and events isn’t always an option. Fortunately, there are multiple online learning opportunities available to the library community. Discover your options!

Support (and opposition) for your library can come from some interesting places in your community — and it’s all about relationship-building. Start developing long-term relationships that can result in positive support for your library campaigns.

Too Small to Fail’s campaign “Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing” provides you with early literacy resources to help you further your goals of empowering parents and enriching the lives of young children.

Libraries are a welcoming and safe place for everyone and you can help ensure this message gets across to your patrons from the very beginning. Learn ways you can practice inclusivity in storytime and throughout your library.

As a follow-up to his popular Book Doctor blog posts, expert John Ison answers your specific book repair questions, both common and unique. Learn how to remove a grease stain, fix the spine on a children’s book and what to do when your cat attacks your paperwork.

Library content marketing expert Angela Hursh answers librarians’ questions about how to ramp up their library’s newsletters. You’ll learn the best content to include, how to find it, and the most effective way to distribute your newsletter.

Ah, teenagers! They’re a unique age group with their own wants, needs and one-of-a-kind personalities. How can you reach them? Create a space that offers them comfort, creativity, socializing and exploration. See top picks in teen seating.

The Demco Makerspace Survey revealed the pain points many librarians have with starting and running a makerspace, but it also revealed some great advice for meeting those challenges head on. See what your peers had to say about their makerspaces and get tips and pointers.

Teen Tech Week is March 5-11 and master maker Diana Rendina has got you covered. Diana shares 5 makerspace projects that will inspire teens to become change agents in their communities while practicing the design process.

Celebrate Women’s History Month in March by highlighting the struggles and accomplishments of women throughout history. Use this book list to break stereotypes and inspire and motivate students to follow their dreams.

Renovated and expanded in 2015, the Schreiner Memorial Library (WI) was smartly designed to serve the community’s current and future needs. See why it was named Library of the Year from the Wisconsin Library Association in 2016.

When this elementary teaching veteran read about the benefits of flexible seating in classrooms, she just knew she had to try it. Learn why she cleared 30 desks out of her room and replaced them with flexible seating and why she’ll never go back.

Libraries are known for offering equitable access to their services. To ensure that everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, feels welcome in your library, follow Jessica Jupitus’s 10 tips for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.

A year ago we published the first Adult Engagement calendar. Each month was filled with seeds of inspiration and ideas for programs of interest for your adult patrons. It has been a fun experience, and I’m amazed by how many interesting and obscure things there are to celebrate.

If you’ve found time to watch any of the Demco-sponsored webinars, you know we are fortunate to partner with smart folks who share their expertise and experiences. What you may not have discovered is the archive of the questions attendees asked but were not always answered during the live session. Read on to find answers to questions on library space design.

If you struggle to get community members in their 20s and 30s to use the library’s services, this post is for you! From partnering with a local pub to holding Punk Rock Aerobics in the library, Sacramento Central Library Manager Jessica Jupitus shows you how to design unique programs that speak to millennials and Generation X. Get ready to branch out and have some fun!

Looking for ways to take STEM programming to the next level? Check out MeeperBOTS! These mobile-app-controlled motorized BOTS bring LEGOs® to life. Plus get a tried-and-true program that’s sure to capture kids’ interest.

Accomplished maker and educator Heather Lister provides you with sample projects and resources to incorporate the maker movement within your school, library or classroom (or all three!), with little to no technology requirements.

Have you ever wondered what to tell parents and caregivers when they ask “Is it ok to share digital picture books with my child?” Early childhood expert Elizabeth Stilwell helps answer this question and shares advice and resources for librarians and caregivers.

Want to get more buy-in from staff and added exposure for your maker programs? Children’s Librarian and maker extraordinaire Holly Storck-Post fills you in on the benefits of holding a maker program for the entire library staff.

Looking for ways to use the littleBits Synth Kit? Director Mary Glendening shows you how to emulate one of the most popular littleBits programs held at CreateSpace@MFL, located in the Middletown Free Library. Learn the step-by-step directions for running the program at your own library and encouraging kids and teens to invent music with littleBits.

Are you entertaining thoughts of ditching Dewey and exploring subject-based classification in your library? Nationally Board Certified Librarian and Mover and Shaker Tiffany Whitehead gives you tips and tricks to help you start genrefying your library.

Mover and shaker Emily Ellis offers ideas for getting the whole family involved in STEAM activities through Tinker Day at the library, plus find out how your library can can leverage the popularity of Pokémon GO!

What’s on the horizon for your book clubs and adult library programs? Need inspiration? Demco’s Angie Schoeneck talks unconventional book clubs. Plus, the September and October calendars will spark new ideas!

Library Journal Mover and Shaker Colleen Graves discusses design thinking and making and provides project ideas to get started tinkering with littleBits™ in your library and creating a community of makers!

Negativity in the workplace is catching, but even one person can change the equation and channel a healthy, uplifting environment for all! For all the details, read this Library Advice column from experienced library professional Cathy Hakala-Ausperk.

Your physical space is one of your library’s biggest assets. Wi-Fi tracking technology can help you visualize how patrons are interacting with that space, as well as inform new library programs and space changes.

There’s immense value in library professional development, especially for those new to the field. Read all that one librarian gained from attending her first ALA conference, and get re-energized by your own development and networking opportunities.

The teens involved in every step of the planning process for The Mix helped make this teen zone the place to be. Explore the results as Manager Cathy Cormier takes us on a virtual tour of the multiple areas of SFPL’s teen zone, their uses and the tools they feature.

Guaranteed you’ll be more dialed into your community’ changing needs after reading Part II of our interview with Library Director Kate Hall. She shares community engagement strategies that have made her library a transformation agent.

As centers of learning, college libraries are reinventing their spaces to facilitate just about anything students may dream up. Hear from 2 academic librarians about higher education makerspaces and design labs.

Digital citizenship is a critical literacy for today’s students to master, and the library is a natural place to do it. With these online and print resources, you can create digital citizenship lessons that help students learn to act safely and responsibly, with courtesy and respect, in the digital world.

Your library’s summer reading program has been helping kids stem the summer slide and fostering a love of reading for years. If you’re looking for ways to shake things up and enhance the learning opportunities for your program, look no further!

Change is afoot in the world of library programming and services for adults. A recurring theme of limited resources and the need for ideas emerged from our conversations, with many seeking help and guidance, information and resources. This prompted us to take action.

Who can answer your tough library questions? Try Cathy. This experienced library professional has seen it all. She takes your most pressing questions and offers the straight-talking answers you can really use! In this debut column, get staff motivation and meeting advice.

Social and emotional skills play an important role in a child’s academic success. As an educator, you can use the friendship stories children gravitate towards to help them make connections, gain confidence and engage in learning.

The spectacular early literacy programming at Redwood City Public Library has established the institution as a leader in education and outreach, passionately supporting childhood development and literacy in their community.

Have you been wanting to add a STEAM program to your library’s list of events but think it might be too expensive or too difficult to plan? Think again! In this blog post, Terry Ehle shares the inspiration you need to get started.

Your library is an important resource for your community — get the word out! Learn all about how the Take Your Child to the Library Day initiative started, discover how to get involved, and explore engaging program ideas, past success stories and online resources.

Raise awareness of your library’s services in your community and find ways to reach underserved populations with the 3 Ps of library outreach, a formula to help you plan your next outreach event and partner with community service providers for maximum impact.

Our population is becoming more and more diverse, with the youngest generation leading the way. We owe it to all our readers to offer diverse books during storytime, deepening the connections we are making and furthering our goal of building a solid reading foundation.

When children are not given opportunities to experience language through books and other interactions, disparities develop that can last a lifetime. Pediatrician Dr. Navsaria teaches us how to combat this and empower parents!

Your library’s role in the community is evolving. However, people may not understand this. Plus, if your library is trying to be everything to everyone, you’ll end up being nothing to anyone. See why it’s so important for your library to have a message and learn how to get the word out.

Looking for a cost-effective, parent-led library program that can have huge returns on early literacy in your community? Get the lowdown on 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and find out how easy it is to start this program in your library!

Crack the code on what baby babbling really means. As babies make these noises, they’re making important progress toward language development: they’re literally finding their voice! Learn about the importance of encouraging baby babble and ways your storytime can do just that.

Children with developmental disabilities can struggle in traditional storytimes. As a result, their caretakers may avoid bringing them to library programs. Find out how you can help all families feel welcome and address children’s learning needs with sensory storytimes.

With countless classic tales and tens of thousands of new children’s books published each year, selecting books for storytime can seem overwhelming. We’ve got just the fix. Gain helpful hints for choosing read-aloud books for your next storytime.

From encouraging fine motor movement to expanding vocabularies, art plays an important role in strengthening the skills our children need to succeed in the 21st century. Learn more about the benefits of incorporating art into storytimes and get 10 tips for talking to kids about art.

At the La Crosse Public Library in WI, children pretend to shop at a farmers market, tell stories on flannel boards and play parachute games. See how playtime at the library builds early literacy skills in a natural way and learn how you can create an engaging children’s environment, even on a budget.

In an ideal world, libraries would be able to offer an array of storytimes designed to meet the varying developmental needs of young children at different ages and stages. But, this isn’t always the case. Get tips on creating successful mixed-age storytimes for kids.

Looking for a way to incorporate speaking and listening standards into projects? Look no further! See LibrarySparks’ tips for holding a student debate that draws on students’ reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills.

Children today are born as digital natives, surrounded by cell phones, televisions, tablets, computers and other media. See how one Youth Services Librarian is using storytimes to help parents find and use the best apps for early literacy learning.

School librarians have the opportunity to position themselves as essential and irreplaceable. Read real stories about 2 associate professors who thought school librarians deserved more respect. Watch their advocacy video to see why principals appreciate school librarians.

According to researchers, children’s participation in unstructured playtime is crucial to laying a foundation for literacy success. Learn how to maximize the positive effects of play through storytimes and parent involvement.

See how librarians can promote early literacy skills through enriched storytimes. During these storytimes, librarians model activities that parents and caregivers can practice at home with their children to boost reading readiness.

Educators have students take a second look and even a third look at texts. This deeper study of text is called close reading, and it’s helping prepare students to meet the text analysis requirements of the Common Core State Standards. But, how can you help students get the most out of close reading? Read this post to learn more about effective close reading strategies.

In this first of 4 articles, find out how to use signage to enhance your spaces and reinforce your merchandising and service models. This blog post moves you closer to mastering the art and science of wayfinding and provides resources and ideas for effective and practical signage solutions for your library.

Sue McCleaf Nespeca, a youth services librarian and early childhood education expert, has traveled across the country to train librarians in research-based best practices for early literacy learning. During her travels, she heard a common plea: How could librarians incorporate best practices into storytimes? Learn more about how Sue turned research into action with The Very Ready Reading Program.

Studio 300 is Fountaindale Public Library’s answer to what their community needs in a space that allows creation and collaboration. While there is never a typical day at Studio 300, there is a common theme. Patrons use lab resources to curate, create and share their own stories.

Whether planning a space on your own or working with a design team, the elements you include work to bring a space to life. Appropriate colors, fabrics and finishes can also help a space stand the test of time.

Want budget-friendly library design ideas? Assessing what you have, rearranging furniture and applying a little creativity can go a long way to refresh your library. Guest bloggers, Dan Meehan and Renee Moldovansky with HBM Architects provide new insights into assessing the possibilities in your library.

Start a conversation about bullying while teaching students crucial literacy skills. Get 10 children’s book recommendations and a free library lesson plan to introduce young readers to the concept of bullying.

Technology for technology sake would be a miss. But, innovations fine-tuned to your students or patrons’ needs increases library use. See the technology that’s shaping libraries and schools for the better.

Strategic signage and graphics go a long way in helping people know where they are and where they’re going. It’s the foundation for efficiency, self-empowerment and a positive experience. Learn more about the art and science of wayfinding.

While the neuroscience behind language acquisition and reading readiness is complex, the pathway to early literacy development is not. All a child needs is a caregiver with basic instruction on some purposeful activities that can be consistently worked into everyday activities.

Madison Public Library in Wisconsin has developed a flexible model that suits the needs of their community well and can also be deployed in their branch libraries. Tana Elias shares insights surrounding the development of their program and what they are learning from their program.

Execution of an interior space renovation is never seamless. However, after completing proper planning and taking several steps in the implementation process, you can feel confident to complete it as a DIY project.

Beginning an interior renovation project can be an overwhelming endeavor that might seem impossible to complete as a DIY project. However, by following a series of simple steps, libraries can feel confident in making interior space changes that will meet the evolving needs of their customers.

Library co-ops and consortiums have long been utilized to leverage purchasing power particularly for electronic resources, databases and basic library needs. Today’s more collaborative efforts take this resource sharing one step further by increasing the benefits to all libraries involved — allowing them to go beyond what each could accomplish on their own.

A friendly staff, welcoming space, technology and interesting programs make your library space a desirable destination for teens. Teens want a place for self-guided, interest-driven learning — a place of exploration that is intertwined with sharing and learning from others.

Hawthorne Elementary’s library was only 10 years old when they realized that if they wanted to stay relevant amidst rapid change, they needed to take a good look at their space, resources and what their students and faculty needed. It was time to refresh their space.

Fundraising campaigns that tap the private sector or leverage partnerships with other community agencies are becoming more common — and they’re a great way for libraries to expand their services beyond what traditional funding sources might allow.

With today’s technology we can collaborate anytime, anywhere, and with anyone around the globe. We need spaces that elevate working collaboratively. For libraries, providing furniture that supports group work or a white board and monitor on the wall of a study room are a good start.

For many people, libraries remain synonymous with books. They are unaware of the innovative programs, services, resources and appealing spaces available for people of all ages. This article focuses on ways you can strengthen your position in the community and increase awareness about all you offer.

Increasingly, we are all faced with self-service. From gas stations and grocery stores, to online transaction processing, we deal with technology in many environments. Implementing circulation technology can be a springboard to making other long-overdue changes.

Collection acquisition and management remains a significant component of library operations. Prepping materials at the outset to withstand the unknown elements of circulating life will reduce the need for repairs later.

Over the past ten years, planning and designing children’s libraries has shifted from being book-centric to multidimensional spaces that include imaginative play areas, guided explorations, gaming zones and media centers with a variety of technologies.

Undergoing a major remodel in 2009, the Poplar Creek Public Library worked with their existing 44,000-square foot building, more than doubling their space to 96,000 square feet with an addition, while keeping the needs and desires of their residents in mind.

Getting ready to undergo a complete remodel, the Barrington Area Library is looking forward to completely rethinking the layout of their library and innovating within their existing building shell. Even without going through this full scale plan, it is obvious that library staff continually innovate and try new things throughout their spaces.

Visual merchandising has become a hot topic in 21st century libraries. As the focus shifts from warehousing materials to creating spaces for people, a change in emphasis surrounding the visual impact of the library makes sense. We all like to feel welcome in the spaces that we frequent, and the visual appearance of each space often elicits an emotional response.

The Barclay School was built in the 1950s, and the most recent update to the library had taken place in 1993 when the carpet was replaced and the black steel shelving was painted white. This project provided the DEMCO Interiors design team with the challenge of creating an inviting age- and size-appropriate library environment for the school’s second- and third-grade students on a small budget.

With a bit of imagination, we have found that it is possible to do a little refreshing and get more mileage out of a space that has become dated or is less than inspiring. Even though it isn’t always the ultimate solution, a modest investment can often make enough of a difference to start prompting other changes.

Recent visits to several Chicago-area libraries demonstrated that innovation can take a variety of forms. Technology is the most obvious, but we also discovered many other ways the library is innovating to better serve their customers and remain viable long into the future.